Saturday, December 13, 2008

When I taught kindergarten the gift I made every year with my students for their families was always a handprint calendar. I had to make some shortcuts because I was producing twenty or so a year. I would cut construction paper down to fit in a copy machine and print out pages with the poem and clip art already on it. Then I would print out blank copies of each month's grid on white copy paper and glue on the back with glue stick. It's very important to use "dry" glue, as white school glue would leave creases and sometimes lighten the color the backside of the construction paper. I always got great compliments on the calendars and some parents carefully took them apart and laminated them at a copy store so they could be used for more than one year and other used them as date books to keep track of birthdays and anniversaries. However they used them they let me know they became very important mementos which made the hefty time investment worth it to me.

I haven't made this with ER yet, but plan to when she gets a little older. Right now we make Shutterfly photo calendars each year for the grandparents. A scrapbooker could easily recreate the calendar using color cardstock paper. The poems could still be printed onto the paper and either clip art or other embellishments such as thematic stickers or 3D stickers like Jolee's by EK Success would look cute. The calendar pages could be created on a computer program printed out with the dates already on them and with special events noted. We had a comb binding machine at school that I used but a copy store can do it too. I used clip art and fonts by DJ Inkers the poems are from various sources. Below are the month from January to December.

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Friends Said:

I am a preschool teacher in Auburn, AL and love your handprint calendar idea. I am not able to read some of the poems that you have for some of the months. Are you willing to share them with me? I would love to do this project with my class.

love this idea!! when i taught second grade we made mothers day calendars- just with different art projects though... i love the handprints as well as the poetry. is there a place to download the poems??

This is one of the best handprint calendars I've seen since I've been searching. Just like the others, are you willing to share the poems? How about the beautful calendar templates for each month? I love the country art calendar font and pictures compared to just using a blank publisher calendard.

I absolutely love your calendar! Best one I've seen! The country clipart is adorable and the poems seem so cute!! I have a hard time being real crafty, so copying the templates on construction paper is definitely something I can do. Would you mind sharing so I could use it with my kindergarteners? allisonturner0626@gmail.com

Hi, I just found your site! Can't wait to catch up on all your great ideas this summer. I am hoping you will be able to send me a copy of the poems for this handprint calendar.Thanks!eddiefam@sbcglobal.net

Hello, i just across your calender idea. i think it was awesome and would make a great gift to parents! i would love it if you could send me a copy of your poems! so i could send the calender out as a gift this year. thanks angie my email is angieloza23@aol.com

Hi!Hope your having a wonderful summer... I just found your amazing website and fell in love with the Handprint calendars. I also teach Kinder in CA and would love to do a similar project. Is there anyway I could purchase or email me a copy of your cute poems. I wanted to create this for their end of the year memory books. Many Thanks,Kelly

Hi,Hope your having a relaxing summer. I just came across your amazing website and fell in love with the Handprint calendars. I also teach Kinder in CA and would love to do a similar project. Is there any way I could purchase the poems or send me a copy. I would love to use them for the students memory books.

Your calendar is the best one that I have found on the internet! If you are sharing the poems with the other teachers, would you mind sharing with me too? I'm a Pre-K teacher in Marietta, GA and would love to do this each month!

Hi I am the room mom in my sons Kindergarten class and we would love to make this calendar as a parents gift this year. I was wondering if you would be willing to share the clip art, fonts and calendar template with me? Thank you very much. wendi_jo@hotmail.com

H,i your calendar is indeed adorable. We were hoping that you might be able to provide some blank templates with the poems etc. We were looking at the project today and feel it will be quite an undertaking but well worth the effort. To be able to do this project in our art classes (we see the students one time per week) we would need to start on it very soon. We are very excited!

I have taught preschool for a few years and have always wanted to do this project. I believe this may be the year!!!! I would love any templates you could send my way. I greatly appreciate all the hard work you put into this adorable project!

mlandschoot@port-huron.k12.mi.us

PS) I love the idea of sending it home blank w/ a dry erase marker so it could be use for many years!! :-)

Wow!! What a beautiful project. I started a Christmas calendar gift today and was surfing to get more ideas. I love what you've done and would love any templates and poems that you've accumulated for this.

I happened across your blog tonight and love your calendar. I've taught Kindergarten for 20 years and have always wanted to do a calendar, but never get it started in time. I'm determined to do one this year. Do you share your poems/templates? I'm hoping so and would be happy to purchase them. My email is rjgrinage@msn.com I look forward to hearing from you!

Hi my name is Amber and I am currently in the works of making handprint calendars for my preschool class.I came across yours and it is amazing!Would you be willing to share your templates and poems with me me?Thank you for sharing your creative ideas!Amber HumphreyGilbert, Az.amberhumphrey03@yahoo.com

Me too, please :-)) Would you please add me to the sharing list? I found your website when I was searching for handprint calendar ideas. I want my kindergarten students to make a Christmas gift that their parents will enjoy all year long. Your calendar is very cute and I wanted to start on it as soon as possible.

I also do the handprint calendar in my kindergarten class. I love your so much more than the one I have done in the past. The colored paper, blank calendar, clip art, and extras are awesome! If you are willing to share,I would so much appreciate it! Thank You!

Wow! so many comments and i can totally see why!!!! If you are still sharing - i would absolutley love a copy to do with my own children and those i teach as well! Found your site by accident but will definately be back to check out new ideas. thank you icklegardiner@hotmail.com

I am planning on letting my students make a calendar for their parents for Christmas. I absolutely love your calendar. Would you be willing to share the poems and templates for this project? It would be greatly appreciated.

I absolutely love this calendar! Great job! I would also love a copy of your poems that you used for it... this is the best calendar I have seen! Again, great job! My e-mail is: nicolen_23@yahoo.com Thank you! Happy Holidays!

Hello,I am a kindergarten teacher in NJ and I came across your awesome hand print calendar. I would love to do this activity with my students for the holidays. Do you have a blank template that you can send me. My e-mail address is Dlamorte1109@yahoo.com. Thank you in advance!!

I love this idea...thank you for posting it. I teaching kindergarten in Wisconsin and I have done a similiar calendar but I like your way more!!! If you are sharing the poems and templates I would love a copy.Would you please send me a copy of the poems and or templates??? I would SO appreciate it.

I was just looking for something like this! My preschoolers are starting their Mother's Day Calendars on Monday and this would be perfect!!! VERY cute! I would love a copy of your templates if you don't mind sharing.shawnna.rogers@gmail.com

I love love love this! I would love to get a copy of your poems and blank calendar pages if you are willing to share! I would love to get started on these so that I can start making them with my kindergarten kiddies in the first week of school. Thank you so much for being an inspiration to those of us who are not crafty!

I would love to use your inspiration to make placemats for my kids to give to their grandparents. I am hoping that I can also get the poems. I also have a blog where I post about what we are up to and I would love to link to you, I have never done that and am hoping that you can tell me how to do that! Thanks again for the great ideas!Jamie

Hi, I am a Kindergarten teacher and would love to follow in your footsteps and make this calendar! I know you have had many people ask, but would you be willing to share your poems/clip art templates? I just love what you have created.

I second the above comments. I simply loved this handprint calendar! I'm a Kindergarten teacher in New Hampshire and would love the opportunity to share these with my families. Below you will find my email address. I would greatly appreciate it if you would share the poems. Thank you in advance.

Hello! I came across your blog and I love your ideas! I am a first time preschool teacher and would love to do this with the kids as well as an end of the year keepsake for the parents. If you don't mind I would love to know what all the poems are. THANK YOU FOR YOUR IDEAS!

I am a preschool teacher and would love to make this handprint calendar with my class. I was wondering if you be willing to share your poems or templates. Thank You for your wonderful projects - God Bless!!!

Hi! I teach Kindergarten in Florida and came across this idea. I really like your idea of the cute calendar which and the adorable handprints as pictures. We are doing this as a Christmas gift this year for 2010. Would you be willing to share the poems and the place where you found the cute calendars? If so, I would greatly appreciate it! My email address is: tc3blue@gmail.com Thank you for your willingness to share.

I am a kindergarten teacher (not really Matthew...this is my husband's account), and I love your calendar. I really want to do this as a Christmas present for the parents this year. If you are willing to share, can you send me the poems and calendar templates that you use? Thanks so much! My email is rebakah_bussa@highlandfightingscots.org

Hi I love your handprint calendar. I would love to make this in my kindergarten classroom. Would you please email me your cute poems and the calendar pages. I love the cute clip art you used and the fonts. Thank you so much! Jenjenwilfong@yahoo.com

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE! I did a Handprint Calendar last year and loved it. Since I teach Kinder and 1st I want to switch up my poems and handprints from last year. Would you send me the poems too? I am so glad I ran across your blog, thanks to funhandprintart.blogspot.com. I am adding your blog to my favorites to follow.

I am already working on my Christmas Calendars for my classroom and would love it you'd send me the poems. Getting an early start this year, so we can take our time and have plenty of time to do other Christmas activities.

Oh my nerve! Your handprint ideas and poems are darling! I would love to have a copy too! I am beginning to get ready for Christmas and would love to use the poem you have. Thanks for sharing!Darlenejdsargo@sbcglobal.net

Your calendar is so adorable. I teach kindergarten and love the calendar idea. I have made a different calendar the last few years and this year I really want to give the hand print calendar a try. You have the cutest one I have seen. I would love a copy of your poems and template. I would greatly appreciate an email from you. Thanks so much for your great ideas!

I am a Kinder teacher and would love to have my kids make this calendar for their parents this year for Christmas. If you wouldn't mind sharing, would you please send me the poem and calendar templates? My email is thesixpack@verizon.net.Thanks so much for the great idea!!

Your calendar and handprint ideas are just too cute. I saw this idea and would LOVE to make this with my daughter for all her grandparents for Christmas. If you are sharing the poems and the cute backgrounds for the calendar pages, I'd LOVE to have them! Thank you so much for sharing!Kim

I LOVE LOVE this calendar craft. I teach preschool and would love to get a copy of your printable pages with the poems. I know your very busy and totally respect that. Have a very merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. God Bless. Mrs. Valerie skubby1@aol.com

Adorable and can't wait to do these with me first graders. The parents are going to cherish this - if you wouldn't mind could you please send me anything you have to help me complete this - ajprelude at aol dot com

This is such a cute idea! I teach transitional first grade, and usually make a calendar for mother's day. This is way cuter than what I have been making. I LOVE the handprints and poems. If you are willing to share I would love to have a copy of your poems.Thank you!Andreaatrulove@goddardusd.com

I love, love, love this and really want to do this project for next year. Is there anyway to still get copies of your poems....I stumbled across your site from a pinterest stop. Thank you!mnterry@henrico.k12.va.us

I am a preschool teacher and would love to have a copy of your peons/calander pages... please let me know if you are still distributing them and how I can get a copy!! Thanks so muchHeatherheathervieths@ yahoo.com

I would love to get a copy of the poems and calendar! I thing this is the sweetes thing! You are so talented. I am a preschool teacher and would love to use this for the christmas gift. Thank you!kort_dw3@msn.com

Hi, I teach 2 year old special needs children and plan to use your handprint calendar as Christmas gifts this year. It can be challenging to find artwork/gifts that these children can do with minimal help, so I am really glad I ran across your site. Can you please post the poems so that they can be read? Thanks again for your willingness to share!

Hi, I teach a K-1 special needs class and would love to make your hand print calendar as gifts for our parents. I love your ideas for each month. Can you please send me the poems so that we may use them? Thank you for sharing with us. pinkkityangel@hotmail.com

I think I'm the 153rd person who is crazy about your handprint calendar. I'm a new teacher currently teaching preschoolers. As everyone else has stated, your handprint calendar is by far the best out there. I don't know if you're sharing your poems/ templates, BUT if you're willing to share them, I'd even be willing to pay for them. Thanks for highlighting such an excellent example of a handprint calendar gift for parents!

absolutely amazing!! i work at a preschool and have made a handprint calendar previously but yours is by far the best i have seen! if you are sharing i would love your poems or if you have a way of getting them please share thank you!! kristen

I love love love your calendar!! It is by far the cutest I have seen!! I was wondering if you could share your templates and/or the poems with me. I would greatly appreciate it!Thanks :)Melissalissa0323@aol.com

Hello there, So I am teaching kindergarten this year and wanted to make a memorable book to the parents at the end of the year and I came across yours. It's wonderful!!! Is there a link to thee poems? If not are you willing to share them? Thank you and keep up the great work!!!

Hi there, I've really enjoyed reading your blog! I teach K and would also love to do this with my students if you are sharing the files. I'd also be happy to purchase the set! Please let me know- my email is michelle.simpson.09@gmail.com. Thanks so much!

I would also love a copy of the poems! I am wanting to recreate each month on a 12*12 scrapbook page then put all 12 In a 12*12 frame, then all grandma has to do is switch out the page each month! Thanks so much for your help in making this happen.!

Jjrharris@yahoo.com

I enjoy your blog and all you do! Thanks so much for such great ideas!

This idea is just amazing. Im a primary infant teacher in Ireland and would love to do this project with the kids. Both them and their parents would love it. If you wouldnt mind sending me thw words. Thanks u sooo much. My email is elliosullivan@gmail.com

As I'm agreeing with the other posts, this calendar idea is the best out there! I am a 1st grade teacher in Illinois and think that this would be a great project for my firsties to do. If you're willing to still share the poems, could you direct me to the source?

Hi,I am teaching 31 senior infants in ireland. We are working on theme of myself and I just love your handprint calendar . It is definitely one of the nicest ideas I have ever seen. I wouuld love to down load your poems if possible. My e mail address is caitrionahyland@gmail.com.Thank you so muchCaitriona

Hi! I love your calendar! I have been looking for a very cute template like yours. I am a kindergarten teacher and want to do these as Christmas gifts for parents. Are you willing to share??? Please email me. Thanks so much!!Sfourman87@gmail.com

Hi, I love your calendar as well. If you are willing to share I'd love a copy of your poems as well. What a wonderful idea for the classroom and gift to families. I would love to do these with my kids, our sweet daycare kids, and my future class someday. Please email me if you would, lmcardwell4@gmail.com. Thank you so much for blogging this!Lisa

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